WILMINGTON, Mass. – With time running out to show it wasn’t a waste to keep him in Boston all season, and with the Bruins desperate for him to help them in the absence of Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin is now getting gushing reviews for the way he practices.

“The way Tyler practiced today, it was really encouraging,” said head coach Claude Julien at Ristuccia Arena after his team’s first on-ice session since its sweep of Philadelphia in the second round. “You saw use his speed, his skill. And again, watching the playoffs, I guess it really does make you hungry. You hope that he’s hungry enough that he steps in there and showcases what he can do.”

General manager Peter Chiarelli threw similar verbal bouquets at last summer’s No. 2 overall draft pick over the weekend, lauding how he’s stuck his “nose to the grindstone” during practices even though he knew he probably wouldn’t be playing.

That anyone needs to pat someone on the back for practicing hard in the NHL is a bit ludicrous. Regardless of age or experience, these guys are getting paid to play and that should be enough to squeeze 100 percent effort out of them every day.

But this is what the Bruins’ brain trust has been reduced to after every tactic during the regular season failed to get Seguin to commit to playing an all-around game at the sport’s highest level. While the speed and hands were evident throughout, the willingness to assert himself without the puck hindered his development.

Now at the most important time of the season, when the intensity of play is at its highest point, Seguin must take the encouragement he has received from the team brass and his teammates, and the knowledge he’s absorbed while watching the first 11 postseason games from the press box, and prove that it’s all more than just talk and hype. He has to contribute for the Bruins to have any chance of beating the Lightning without Bergeron, whose return is up in the air due to a mild concussion.

Seguin, who skated on the third line with Rich Pevereley and Michael Ryder today, said all the right things after practice about staying ready these last several weeks, learning a lot from watching and looking to do whatever it takes to the help the team. The pregame warm-ups he skated in were meant to improve his readiness, according to Julien, and Seguin claimed he’s soaked it all up.

He hasn’t played in a game since April 10 in New Jersey but isn’t worried about rust.

“I think I was staying sharp. And I feel like when you’re working out off the ice, you might be pushing yourself even harder than on the ice,” he said. “I’ve been trying to stay as sharp as I can. I’ve been bag skating, I’ve been working out a ton on the bike and just trying to stay as prepared as I can.”

Seguin’s rookie season wasn’t a total loss. He scored 11 goals in 74 games, including a couple of pretty breakaways. That was a far cry, however, from what would normally be expected from such a high draft pick.

Oh yeah, he also threw that one hit that time in Toronto when he caused a turnover that the Bruins nearly capitalized for a goal on.

Despite a few healthy scratches and a lot of time spent watching games from the bench, Seguin never seemed to accept that there’s a physical aspect to this game that a player has to add to his repertoire or he risks not fulfilling his potential left behind. No one expects him to be Milan Lucic or even Bergeron when it comes to lowering the boom on a player. But he is expected to take a hit to make a play or at least not be afraid to keep the puck on his stick for longer than “one Mississippi” while weaving through the neutral zone or playing around the net.

The flashes of Seguin’s willingness to do this during the regular season were briefer than a mosquito passing gas. Now he’s going to be thrown into a game where everyone, from the smallest player to the biggest player, the weakest to the strongest, is going to hit to hurt in an effort to get the puck or send a physical message.

In speaking to the media, Julien seemed to have laid down the gauntlet for Seguin.

“Right now, it’s crunch time. It’s about winning, and as I mentioned to him, it’s not so much about being patient and seeing things, it’s more about the results right now. It’s going to be important that he give us some results and results for him would be certainly competing really hard in all areas and utilizing his skills to create some scoring chances and some goals.”

With his skill set, just a little hint of a junkyard dog would allow Seguin to give the Bruins what they need. They’re not asking him to score a hat trick or bloody Vinny Lecavalier. They just want to see having him spend nine months around the NHL has actually matured him the way they think it has.

There will come a time years from now when Seguin will yearn for the days of getting fluffy words from his coach and GM just for practicing well. Right now, he has to take advantage of the kindness and prove to everyone the efforts to comfort him haven’t gone to waste.

I agree along the lines of Seguin on the PP. Rotate Campbell in when a veteran presence is a priority (late in the game?). But give him a regular shift early and see what he can do, allow him a chance to develop confidence and show he can play hard. He’s proven he can put the puck in the net, give him a chance to see what he can bring to crunch time.

Why not play Seguin between Recchi and Marchie? After all that line has been the most productive all the way and they might help Seguin without messing around with the third line. I think that could be a smarter choice. I know Seguin would need to play a lot more defensive then he is used too but that he´s going to do in Bergys place or in Kellys place.

JPT,
We are not a team of pigs. After all pigs run away if you run at them and go after you when you aren’t looking. Sounds a little more like the Canadiens to me. If you want to say insulting things about the bruins on a bruins blog, at least do it in English. You should also look at your position based on the other Canadiens fans who write on this blog. RD is willing to make hockey comments and criticism while not bashing the B’s for the sake of doing so while Benard is very into this team (albeit with what appears to be a minor stroke.) Either discuss hockey or take your unthinking bias back to a Canadiens blog where you belong. Also, do you know Bernard personally? it’s a little presumptious to be speaking to him using tu otherwise (or do french canadiens assume they are everyone’s friend?)

MCK, the phrase “parce que” is because. You should be mad about, “les Bruins sont une equipe de cochon.” which translates to the bruins are a team of pigs.

On Seguin, we definitely expected too much out of this kid. if his flashes of willingness are longer than a mosquito passing gas, he might get a full time roster spot when Bergey returns. (Be positive guys!)

I think Seguin gets far too much criticism in general here and in other circles. The kid barely played this season. Yeah, he “appeared” in 70+ games, but got limited time in meaningful situations with good offensive players. He is also 18-19 years old. I wasn’t expecting Crosby and no one here should have either. Kid had 11 goals despite his playing time and linemates. Krecji had 13 goals. Ryder had 18. Recchi had 14. Those guys got twice the ice time that Seguin did and played with actual offensive linemates in offensive situations (read: PP).

We shall see if he has the ability to ratchet it up a notch. I think he can, especially playing with Peverly and Ryder. To me, the real question is not whether Seguin will be a factor, but whether Peverly can handle the additional responsibility put on Bruins centers from a defensive perspective.

Seguin is likely in a shoot first mode, and that is a good thing. I hope he does well. I am sure everyone does. The series doesn’t turn on whether he does, though. We should all stop acting like it does.

Honestly if Julien can use this line as a speed, scoring line and it is productive I suspect Seguin will have more than 2 minutes of ice time. If Seguin isn’t producing on the line I can easily see Paille and Campbell getting double shifted into Seguin’s spot on the line.

But I think they will give Seguin a chance to play on this line-not so much like Hnidy who seemed to come out mostly to make give the other defensemen a little breather.

I think Julien thinks this line can score and I think he is right-but Seguin does need to step up and play the game when he doesn’t have the puck.

The “Hey Timmy, you’ve got this one right? Ok good we’ll wait over here. Get us the puck when you can” line

Kidding. No but really, I hope that Julien plays to the strength of this line- speed. Let Seguin cheat out of the zone, a la his first NHL goal, a la Philly-style cherry-picking. No better Bruin to have one on one the zone and cycle the puck high, I hope Seguin comes up top and cuts through the slot… never know what can happen when this kid gets open. Losing Bergie is a huge blow, since Rex and Marchy rely on him to win battles and create chances… but Kelly wins probably the second-most board battles of any Bruin. I’m still feeling good about this series. Go B’s. Hopefully Berg gets back to 100% soon.

I think Bernard is a secret agent for the Canadiens fan blogs. He lulls you to sleep with sports cliches and poetry while secretly posts hatred under the name of Tremblay. He may even argue with himself to make it look official.
Just kidding Bernard, I love your enthusiasm and I hope Seguin can bring something….even Ryder had a flash of playoff heroism this year.

The Ducks are done pedalling beneath the surface of the waters. So are the of the rest of the western water laden bunnies. This one is coming our way quicker than 40 years for a horsefly. Is that poetry or what??? LOL…

Is there a vibe in Boston? This post is dead. Tickets sales as reported on here are weirdish. I don’t get it bro! I smell malted barley, brewer’s yeast, and a custom made Stanley Cup hop harvested in LA BELLE PROVINCE and all I hear is the sandclock getting done sifting through.

Cheer up Bros N Sis, the time is near!!!! No b.s DRESSING ROOM WINS CHAMPIONSHIP.